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German Air Force seeks to host 'authentic' Oktoberfest

By Janessa Maxilom

jmaxilom@alamogordonews.com @janessa_speaks on Twitter

Posted:
09/12/2013 05:07:21 PM MDT

For the first time in 17 years, the German Air Force will host the annual Oktoberfest inside the city limits of Alamogordo at the Jim R. Griggs Sport Complex on North Florida Avenue. (Janessa Maxilom/Daily News)

For the first time in 17 years, the German Air Force will host the annual Oktoberfest inside the city limits of Alamogordo at the Jim R. Griggs Sport Complex on North Florida Avenue.

This year, Oktoberfest will be hosted for two days instead of one. The event will kick off at 5 p.m. Friday and will end at midnight. People who can't attend on the first day can partake in the festivities on Saturday from 3 p.m. to midnight.

Traditionally, the festivities were held at Holloman Air Force base at the GAF Flying Training Center hangers.

"For operational reasons, we could not afford to clear out our hanger for two-weeks to set up the Oktoberfest," Col. Armin Havenith, the GAFFTC commander said. "Our primary focus is getting the Tornado aircraft mission ready for its upcoming deployment."

When GAF officials first realized they wouldn't be able to hold the Oktoberfest at Holloman, they immediately began searching for ways to host the event in the city.

"We came up with the ambitious idea to host Oktoberfest in the city in an effort to bring it closer to everyone," Havenith said. "By celebrating the Oktoberfest, the members of the GAF and our families want express our gratitude by thanking you for having us here in New Mexico."

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According to 1st Lt. Sven Jesse, the head project officer for Oktoberfest, the GAFFTC has been for the event an entire year.

"Every year, we try to make the next Oktoberfest better than the year before," Jesse said. "This year we wanted it to be bigger, better and more authentic than other years since we have the opportunity to host in Alamogordo."

In an effort to make the Oktoberfest as authentic as possible, the GAF decided to have professional chefs from the German Armed Forces Logistics School flown in from Germany to cook for the event.

"This year, all the food will be prepared by Germans," Jesse said. "To accomplish this, our local cooking team will be assisted by the professional chefs."

According to Jesse, the GAF has 300 kegs of beer for the event and 720 bottles of wine. For people not looking to drink, the GAF has 9,000 bottles of water and 10,000 soft drinks to quench their thirst.

Jesse said the GAF ordered 7,000 steins and 1,200 glasses for the event. He said the GAF is keeping the tradition of providing a stein for every ticket purchased and that the first filling of beer or beverage is free.

Jesse said this year the GAF also wanted the entertainment to be authentic and will have a Bavarian-style bass band from Germany playing during both days of the event.

"We want this event to be fun," Jesse said. "We also want it to be a safe event. So we have also taken measures to make sure it is a fun and safe event for everyone, even the little ones."

The GAF has taken various precautions to ensure people are safe before, during and after the event.

According to Jesse, there will be two bus routes in the city set up to safely transport people to and from the festival. He said there would also be a bus route to and from Holloman to ensure U.S. Air Force members have safe passage.

"We don't want anyone drinking and driving," Jesse said.

Jesse said there will be a total of seven large buses and four small buses running during the event this year and that the buses are being provided by the local Deutsche Schule.

"We will also provide a bus shuttle from the public parking place to the event area to make sure everyone is dry or protected from the sun," Jesse said.

Jesse said the GAF has been working closely with local authorities to ensure the safety of citizens during the event.

"German Air Force personnel have teamed up with Alamogordo Police Department, the Otero County Sheriffs Office, Homeland security and two private security companies," Jesse said.

Jess said the GAF also came up with a new system to safeguard children during the event.

At the entrance to the event, the GAF will verify age by checking identification. All minors will be provided with a specific wristband to prohibit them from underage drinking.

Jesse said parents with young children will be asked to provide a contact number that can be placed on the child's wristband in case the child is separated from the parent.

According to Jesse, the GAF will also have metal detectors at the entrance to stop people from bringing weapons into the event.

Jesse said this year's Oktobefest wouldn't be possible without the permission and assistance from the city of Alamogordo.

"We got the liquor license for the Oktoberfest through the city of Alamogordo," he said. "We had about 80 (GAF) services members train for seven hours on Sept. 5 to be able to serve alcohol."

German airmen earned alcohol servers certificates through the New Mexico Alcohol Certification Class.

"As the mayor, I want to personally let people know that the City of Alamogordo is excited to host Oktoberfest 2013," Alamogordo Mayor Susie Galea said. "We embrace the German community and look forward to participating and sharing in a festival that will include many treats from Germany."

Havenith said the German Air Force is looking forward to a great event for the entire community.

"We are very happy and more than honored to host such an Oktoberfest in Alamogordo," Havenith said.

Tickets for the Oktoberfest are being sold at all Otero Federal Credit Union branches, the chamber of Commerce Alamogordo and by the German Air Force Public Affairs.